Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Response 8: IST Energy Announces Waste-to-Energy System That Turns Trash into Clean Energy
This unit sounds like a great idea especially because it takes waste (the other aspect of this project that im interested in) and turns it into clean fuel! And although it can be installed "on location," it may be too big for most homes. This is a great idea, and its teriffic that this new technology is being explored and bcoming a reality. Maybe in the future this machine can become more compact and smaller. Right now it is ideal for public or big places that produce a lot of waste.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Article 8: IST Energy Announces Waste-to-Energy System That Turns Trash into Clean Energy
- "IST Energy today" announced the beginning of their "GEM waste-to-energy conversion system."
- This system is small enough to be installed on location and converts waste into small pellets that can then be used as fuel.
- The start of distribution of this product is being planned for this summer.
- This machine eliminates "95 percent of daily consumer waste, such as paper, plastic, food, wood and agricultural materials."
- The GEM is a "clean energy producer."
- Because wastedoes not have to be removed, it also reduces the cost of public waste removal.
- The energy that the GEM produces is not only clean, but also powers the GEM, making the unit sustainable as well.
- The down side is that the unit is "eight feet high and covers about the size of three standard parking spaces."
- This size may not be ideal for installation at your house, but is good for any places like parks, department stores, and big buildings.
- "One unit processes up to three tons of waste daily, providing the energy to power and heat a 200,000 square foot building housing more than 500 people - all in all reducing annual waste disposal and energy costs by about $250,000."
- This system is small enough to be installed on location and converts waste into small pellets that can then be used as fuel.
- The start of distribution of this product is being planned for this summer.
- This machine eliminates "95 percent of daily consumer waste, such as paper, plastic, food, wood and agricultural materials."
- The GEM is a "clean energy producer."
- Because wastedoes not have to be removed, it also reduces the cost of public waste removal.
- The energy that the GEM produces is not only clean, but also powers the GEM, making the unit sustainable as well.
- The down side is that the unit is "eight feet high and covers about the size of three standard parking spaces."
- This size may not be ideal for installation at your house, but is good for any places like parks, department stores, and big buildings.
- "One unit processes up to three tons of waste daily, providing the energy to power and heat a 200,000 square foot building housing more than 500 people - all in all reducing annual waste disposal and energy costs by about $250,000."
Monday, January 19, 2009
Response 7: Tapping the Earth For Energy
It's a really cool idea that you could potentially heat your house from the earth or use the earth to cool your house as well, but this article made some important points to homeowners. Obviously drilling deep into the earth is going to cost a bit no matter where you so it, but if you live somewhere with a lot of rock it might not be the cheapest route to sustainable energy. If it costs "50% more" than ones normal energy bill, most likely people won't go for it. On the other side of this dilemma, large buildings have a lot to gain from this situation. Drilling into the earth (the main part of why it's so expensive) may be worth it to builders who have to look forward to buying huge and costly fossil fuel powered heaters. This novel idea can be helpful in some situations, and therefore should continue to be looked into, but is obviously not a overall solution the need for alternate fuels.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Article 7: Tapping The Earth For Energy
- Around 50,000 geothermal energy units are installed per year "according to the Department of Energy."
- A geothermal system will end up costing around 50% more that a fossil fuel based heating and cooling system.
- The main reason geothermal systems are so expensive is because of the drilling to put the pipes in. This process can cost "tens of thousands of dollars alone."
- These pumps could possibley end up costing "$17,000 to $30,000."
- This system is rather tricky not only to put in, but to make sure you even should be using geothermal is a whole other issue. Certain places will not get the full benefit of this system because of the climate.
- In some cases geothermal in cheaper. Those cases are often not homeowners who get the deal, but larger buildings that could benefit from the system more.
- In 2006, "Harvard University installed six ground-source heat pumps as part of its Green Campus initiative"
- Geothermal systems work by pumps and pipes that are put into the earth to take from the all year temperature in the ground. In cold months the pipes draw warm air up from the ground and into the building, while in hotter summer months the pipes carry some of the hotter air out of the house and bring the cooler air from the earth into the house.
- Pumps inside the house push and pull "water or a working fluid, such as antifreeze" into the earth so that when the liquid comes back out it brings with it the temperature.
- A geothermal system will end up costing around 50% more that a fossil fuel based heating and cooling system.
- The main reason geothermal systems are so expensive is because of the drilling to put the pipes in. This process can cost "tens of thousands of dollars alone."
- These pumps could possibley end up costing "$17,000 to $30,000."
- This system is rather tricky not only to put in, but to make sure you even should be using geothermal is a whole other issue. Certain places will not get the full benefit of this system because of the climate.
- In some cases geothermal in cheaper. Those cases are often not homeowners who get the deal, but larger buildings that could benefit from the system more.
- In 2006, "Harvard University installed six ground-source heat pumps as part of its Green Campus initiative"
- Geothermal systems work by pumps and pipes that are put into the earth to take from the all year temperature in the ground. In cold months the pipes draw warm air up from the ground and into the building, while in hotter summer months the pipes carry some of the hotter air out of the house and bring the cooler air from the earth into the house.
- Pumps inside the house push and pull "water or a working fluid, such as antifreeze" into the earth so that when the liquid comes back out it brings with it the temperature.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wow Trina, great job. Your notes are full of facts, there isn't any useless information getting in the way. I really enjoyed reading about Obama, he is definitely someone to research if you want to broaden the information your gathering. Also, wonderful job responding to each post, each one is thoughtful and reflects nicely back on the article. Your hard work really paid off.
Alex G's 3rd responce
These articles were really good, I loved the variety and all the information on fuel and how to get better fuel to use. My favorite was the one about Obama and how he wants to raise everything up, and make it better. I think that was a really interesting article to read and think about. Thinking all that could change in 3 years is really neat and hopefully it will happen. I bet there are a lot of articles about this in newspapers and magazines.
Aimee Response Reflection
Katrina, I like that you have factual information ( as in dealing with numbers) as well as non factual information. I also like how you have an article on Augusta, I like that you included our state into your blog. You also have an article on Obama! I can maybe use that for my information. Your blog is extremely well organized and neat. Maybe personalizing your notes a little bit more would be good.
Alex Hadik- In Class Response
Katrina-
This is an incredible blog. You are finding some great information. There is really nothing that I can say you should improve. I really like how you have taken your notes. Personally, I can comprehend information when it is listed in that manner. No personal opinions, no interpretations, just the facts. You leave your opinions for your response which is also superb. If I am to get very critical of your blog to find any reason to give you an 85 over a 95, it would lie within the responses. They are great interpretations and really an amazing piece of work but some very simple grammatical errors or perhaps assumed information do find their way in. This really is a non-problem however since it in now way detracts from your blog as a whole. If I were you, I would perhaps check out the Cape Wind Project for an article. I'm not sure that you will find any recent information but it might be a good place to find some background information. Also, check out what is happening in France as far as nuclear power is concerned and look into Holland for wind power. It might be interesting to find how the governments of these countries have better supported the development of sustainable fuels as compared to America and the Bush Administrations apparent inaction as a whole to the issue.
This is an incredible blog. You are finding some great information. There is really nothing that I can say you should improve. I really like how you have taken your notes. Personally, I can comprehend information when it is listed in that manner. No personal opinions, no interpretations, just the facts. You leave your opinions for your response which is also superb. If I am to get very critical of your blog to find any reason to give you an 85 over a 95, it would lie within the responses. They are great interpretations and really an amazing piece of work but some very simple grammatical errors or perhaps assumed information do find their way in. This really is a non-problem however since it in now way detracts from your blog as a whole. If I were you, I would perhaps check out the Cape Wind Project for an article. I'm not sure that you will find any recent information but it might be a good place to find some background information. Also, check out what is happening in France as far as nuclear power is concerned and look into Holland for wind power. It might be interesting to find how the governments of these countries have better supported the development of sustainable fuels as compared to America and the Bush Administrations apparent inaction as a whole to the issue.
Samara's response to articles 4, 5, and 6.
Katrina, I feel you are doing very well so far. Your articles are interesting and informing. It sounds like sustainable fuel could make it's way in this country! It would be nice if more people could afford wind and solar energy sources. Obama's plan will be nice to follow through with.
The only thing I can suggest at the moment would be to compile your article clippings into one big paragraph so that it flows easier. Other than that you are doing fine. Keep up the great work!
The only thing I can suggest at the moment would be to compile your article clippings into one big paragraph so that it flows easier. Other than that you are doing fine. Keep up the great work!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Response 6: Obama Team, Exxon Mobil Chief Trade Jabs on Energy
I had been looking for an article on what some of Obama's ideas for economical growth and recovery are, and now that I found some of them out, I can't believe how great and yet how drastic they are. Only three years to double our alternate energy use?! Three years is not long to get this done, so the question is: is this goal realistic or is it exactly the kind of movement America needs to take a leading role in the fight against green-house gas emissions? Hopefully these standards are not to high and will in fact get the ball rolling in renewable and sustainable energy. It's truly hard to believe that currently 1% of electricity is generated by sustainable sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal. A jump to 25% is a huge change even though it's only a quarter of our electricity.
Obama plans to create jobs for people to work towards these impressive goals like jobs making solar panels and wind turbines. This solves two of Americas biggest problems at the same time: unemployment and the energy crisis. It's like in the great depression when the government gave people jobs working to make the country better, like building bridges and roads. Hopefully these innovative and drastic changes will get the U.S. moving again towards a brighter future.
Obama plans to create jobs for people to work towards these impressive goals like jobs making solar panels and wind turbines. This solves two of Americas biggest problems at the same time: unemployment and the energy crisis. It's like in the great depression when the government gave people jobs working to make the country better, like building bridges and roads. Hopefully these innovative and drastic changes will get the U.S. moving again towards a brighter future.
Article 6: Obama Team, Exxon Mobil Chief Trade Jabs on Energy
- Over the next three years Barack Obama pledged to double sustainable fuel production.
- The "chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp., Rex Tillerson" was skeptical of Obama's promise and claimed that a change of that proportion would be "very challenging."
- Tillerson went further to say "'Let's be realistic about time frames, let's don't fool ourselves,'" and "'In terms of wind, there simply is not the manufacturing capacity today to build wind turbines…they're already back ordered.'"
- By 2006 "fossil fuels accounted for 85%" of America's energy source. In 1973 fossil fuels were at "93%." That's only a decrease by 8%.
- If we have 15% of our energy being supplied by alternate sources than doubling that would mean 30% of our energy came from renewable sources. That's almost a third of our energy.
- Obama plans to reach this goal by creating jobs for people making wind turbines and solar panels, and research in "'developing new energy technologies.'"
- Barack also plans to reach the goal of doubling alternate energy "through a combination of mandates and subsidies."
- America produces "24,000 MW [megawatts] of wind, solar, and geothermal power" at this point in time.
- Solar, wind, and geothermal energy currently accounts for about 1% of Americas electricity supply. Obama wants to move that number up to 25%, a huge increase.
- Mr. Tillerson said "the company expects oil and natural gas to remain the dominant fuels for decades."
- The "chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp., Rex Tillerson" was skeptical of Obama's promise and claimed that a change of that proportion would be "very challenging."
- Tillerson went further to say "'Let's be realistic about time frames, let's don't fool ourselves,'" and "'In terms of wind, there simply is not the manufacturing capacity today to build wind turbines…they're already back ordered.'"
- By 2006 "fossil fuels accounted for 85%" of America's energy source. In 1973 fossil fuels were at "93%." That's only a decrease by 8%.
- If we have 15% of our energy being supplied by alternate sources than doubling that would mean 30% of our energy came from renewable sources. That's almost a third of our energy.
- Obama plans to reach this goal by creating jobs for people making wind turbines and solar panels, and research in "'developing new energy technologies.'"
- Barack also plans to reach the goal of doubling alternate energy "through a combination of mandates and subsidies."
- America produces "24,000 MW [megawatts] of wind, solar, and geothermal power" at this point in time.
- Solar, wind, and geothermal energy currently accounts for about 1% of Americas electricity supply. Obama wants to move that number up to 25%, a huge increase.
- Mr. Tillerson said "the company expects oil and natural gas to remain the dominant fuels for decades."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Background Response 2: Hydrogen Economy
This chapter was really interesting because it made me think about hydrogen as a possible answer to the quest of finding a sustainable fuel. It's so cool that the process of combining hydrogen with oxygen is what can power cars, and that the only byproduct of this reaction is water. That begs the question though, is the water clean after going through a car? When the article started talking about how "The energy you can extract from hydrogen is less than the energy you put into making it" I wondered how hydrogen could ever be useful. Also, is it really smart to be using water, a resource so important to the existence of life, as fuel?
Iceland is already in the process of making this dream a reality. They have the advantage because converting their smaller country is much easier than converting a much, much bigger country like the U.S. t0 hydro power. The chapter said that this conversion in Iceland could be complete in 2040. That's only 30 years from now when this country could be completely free from carbon dioxide emissions. While the U.S isn't even close to finding a overall solution to the sustainable fuel problem. There are many other problems with hydrogen which can apparently be fixed, however, great precaution needs to be used because of how explosive compressed hydrogen is. Perhaps these problems lead back to the idea of having many different fuels. Maybe a combination of fuels needs to be used to satisfy the huge demand for fuel and electricity.
Iceland is already in the process of making this dream a reality. They have the advantage because converting their smaller country is much easier than converting a much, much bigger country like the U.S. t0 hydro power. The chapter said that this conversion in Iceland could be complete in 2040. That's only 30 years from now when this country could be completely free from carbon dioxide emissions. While the U.S isn't even close to finding a overall solution to the sustainable fuel problem. There are many other problems with hydrogen which can apparently be fixed, however, great precaution needs to be used because of how explosive compressed hydrogen is. Perhaps these problems lead back to the idea of having many different fuels. Maybe a combination of fuels needs to be used to satisfy the huge demand for fuel and electricity.
Background Article 2: Hydrogen Economy
"For 50 years Iceland has been using its plentiful hydro and geothermal electricity to heat buildings and extract hydrogen from water using an electrolytic process. It is beginning to use offshore wind turbines..."
"Hydrogen can be combined with oxygen again to become water again and, in the process, drive a fuel cell motor."
"...program in Iceland may not be complete until at least 2040."
"Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe..."
"The energy you can extract from hydrogen is less than the energy you put into making it..."
"...using gas or oil to make it is more damaging than using these fuels themselves."
"Only solar, wind or water flow technologies that produce renewable electricity can avoid greenhouse gas emissions."
"Hydrogen reacts with metals making containers brittle, it evaporates even from within a container, it seeps, it has low energy content against volume so it has to be stored under pressure, endangering explosion; or it can be liquefied, but this needs constant refrigeration."
"To meet our present energy needs with compressed hydrogen or cars and liquefied hydrogen for airplanes would require three times the electricity we generate..."
"Hydrogen can be combined with oxygen again to become water again and, in the process, drive a fuel cell motor."
"...program in Iceland may not be complete until at least 2040."
"Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe..."
"The energy you can extract from hydrogen is less than the energy you put into making it..."
"...using gas or oil to make it is more damaging than using these fuels themselves."
"Only solar, wind or water flow technologies that produce renewable electricity can avoid greenhouse gas emissions."
"Hydrogen reacts with metals making containers brittle, it evaporates even from within a container, it seeps, it has low energy content against volume so it has to be stored under pressure, endangering explosion; or it can be liquefied, but this needs constant refrigeration."
"To meet our present energy needs with compressed hydrogen or cars and liquefied hydrogen for airplanes would require three times the electricity we generate..."
Friday, January 2, 2009
Response 5: AUGUSTA: Getting wind of saving cash
This article was really cool to find because not only is it local, but it tells about offers that are being made to people in Maine to help them pay for getting wind or solar power! This is a great way to get people started when it comes to reaching out and taking the initiative to get renewable energy for yourself. The rebates that are being given out sound like they're going fast, and there aren't many of them. $1,000 or 25% of the bill is a lot to take off, especially for many Mainers. This could just be enough for some homeowners or businesses to get the push they've been needing to go green. Unfortunately it sounds like the demand might outway the supply and people who apply would have to be selected at random for this rebate.
Programs like this are just what Americans need. If people can get this type of discount and then pay the rest off as their monthly energy bill, then way more people would be interested in sustainable energy. The general population should also be more informed about the options of sustainable energy, so they can make the right choice for they environment. For example, wind is a natural choice for Maine, as well as solar energy is a good choice for more southern states like Florida and Georgia. I also believe that the government should create more of these programs and grants like this because it sounded as though this program was struggling of lack of money to distribute. Overall this is a great plan to get people started with sustainable energy options.
Programs like this are just what Americans need. If people can get this type of discount and then pay the rest off as their monthly energy bill, then way more people would be interested in sustainable energy. The general population should also be more informed about the options of sustainable energy, so they can make the right choice for they environment. For example, wind is a natural choice for Maine, as well as solar energy is a good choice for more southern states like Florida and Georgia. I also believe that the government should create more of these programs and grants like this because it sounded as though this program was struggling of lack of money to distribute. Overall this is a great plan to get people started with sustainable energy options.
Article 5: AUGUSTA: Getting wind of saving cash
- "Efficiency Maine, a Maine Public Utilities Commission program," has created this program for small business or residential inhabitants that are looking to install small wind energy systems on their land.
- A new state program offers "Rebates of up to $2,000 for qualified residential wind systems ..."
- Rebates for nonresidential wind systems are available up to "$4,000."
- The demand for these rebates exceeded the funding available last year. The funding has been renewed, but is still limited so it will most likely run out again this year.
- "maximum rebate for qualified systems will be $1,000 -- or 25 percent of the installed cost, whichever is less -- for both residential or commercial applications."
- Solar photovoltaic systems have a maximum rebate of "$2,000 per installation."
- Applicants may be selected at random if the funding runs out again by the 1st quarter.
- A new state program offers "Rebates of up to $2,000 for qualified residential wind systems ..."
- Rebates for nonresidential wind systems are available up to "$4,000."
- The demand for these rebates exceeded the funding available last year. The funding has been renewed, but is still limited so it will most likely run out again this year.
- "maximum rebate for qualified systems will be $1,000 -- or 25 percent of the installed cost, whichever is less -- for both residential or commercial applications."
- Solar photovoltaic systems have a maximum rebate of "$2,000 per installation."
- Applicants may be selected at random if the funding runs out again by the 1st quarter.
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